Michigan vs. Indiana Game Preview

It seemed like just yesterday when Tom Crean, in his first season, inherited a disaster and ended up with a 6-25 season. Now the Hoosiers are ranked Number Three in the nation, with a Wooden Award candidate in Cody Zeller and the chance to take control of the Big Ten with a win over Michigan. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have been haunted since the great days of the Fab Five, and have achieved their first number one ranking since that time. Indiana (19-2) is led by Zeller who has played fantastic in big games this season, and is coming off a double-double in their 37 beatdown of Purdue. He is helped by dynamic forward Christian Watford and explosive Victor Oladipo who can change games on offense as well as on the defensive side of the ball. Their biggest challenge will be shutting down speedy Wolverine point guard Trey Burke. Burke is averaging nearly 18 points and over 7 assists a game but struggled mightily in Michigan's only loss to Ohio State. Though, much like the Hoosiers, the Wolverines have a load of players that can score including Glenn Robinson,Tim Hardaway Jr. and sharpshooting Nik Stauskas. Stauskas could be the scariest as he can be truly lethal when you don't get a hand in his face. Need further evidence? On YouTube, there is a video of him hitting 45 of 50 three pointers. A bounty of shooters should keep Michigan's offense going but Indiana must show their great transition offense that shamed North Carolina a few months. No matter what happens in Bloomington expect it to be a high scoring affair as Indiana has the best scoring offense in the nation with 84 a game, and Michigan the 14th best scoring offense. Their should be a ton of passion on Indiana's campus in the biggest game so far this season but expect Indiana to use the lethal punch of Zeller and Watford and Oladipo's defensive ability to sneak out a close win at home.